Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 – Studio Controller, 15 macro keys, trigger actions in apps and software like OBS, Twitch, ​YouTube and more, works with Mac and PC

Spoiler alert. This device is awesome and invaluable if you regularly use different Mac and PC software programmes, especially for editing audio & video.You can stop there or read on for a bit of a story and the actual review - your choice.The storyThis device sat on a shelf for well over 12 months. It was a compulsive purchase based on a video I watched on YouTube and possibly at the end of a night out with friends, erm…I had almost forgotten about this purchase, not because it wasn’t of use, I just didn’t think I needed it at the time; my mistake!Let me explain…As mentioned, this was an impulse purchase because it looked cool and I told myself I’d use it…eventually.It must have struck a chord of sorts because I was sure to buy the upgraded MKII version with a detachable/replaceable USB cable.I didn’t use it.Jump forward 12 months and video editing is now a main focus and keyboard short cuts are all the rage. As my editing skills develop and my editing frequency increases and as ridiculous as this sounds (it did to me when I heard other editors say it) multiple key short cuts were becoming a pain in the backside and in particular the blade cut and delete (yes, Final Cut Pro X on the Mac) Enter the Elgato Stream Deck.The ReviewThe Elgato Stream Deck is a fully customisable macro keypad that allows you to set single key inputs for what would normally be multi-keyboard/finger short-cuts e.g. ctrl+cmd+arrow up to lift a clip from the timeline in Final Cut Pro, is now a one button press and with a nice vibrant pic displayed on the very smooth LCD buttons to boot. More on that in a bit.This little device works across a variety of apps for both Mac & PC and not just editing software. It also comes with Elgato (via download) free software for optimising and customising the macro keys and shortcuts.This is a super tidy unit (specs below) and well built. It won’t take being bounced off the floor, but oddly enough, that’s not its intended purpose. The main icon panel can sit directly on your desk or in the angled case. The USB cable is attached under the unit, but flat and right angled so that the unit can sit flush with your desk regardless of preferred set-up.The 15 macro key version I have sits just about right for my needs at the moment, but you may wish to look at the 6 or the much bigger 32 key versions, depending on your own needs. I will say that after finding out just how useful this piece of equipment can be, I am looking at the 32 key version for in the not too distant future.As an example of the speed of work flow, I’ll use another FCP application - I have the mouse on the right and the Stream Deck on the left. I select the point I wish to cut. Press the centre macro key and then press the macro key underneath its it is set to delete. This finger/thumb quick action is so convenient and time saving.The LCD keys are also customisable via the previously mentioned Elgato software. This option also allows you to assign set functions to keys and also assign an icon. A pleasant surprise was that there are loads of free icons available in the Elgato icon library. One of my main hotkey shortcuts is for YouTube (yes, you can assign URLs to the macro keys too) and there was a YouTube icon in the library along with multiple community created ones, which for the most part are great! There are even animated icons if you want them, but I personally prefer the static icons, but it’s your choice.The next pleasant surprise was that you can set different profiles or ‘pages’ of icons for the different software you are using. If you are jumping from Premier Pro to Microsoft Office or Final Cut Pro to Light Room, then you can set up you own pages, hotkeys & icons as you wish which equals fantastic versatility!All good so far, so now a couple of minor gripes…Every once in a while the unit won’t boot up properly, but this is pretty rare.The angle of the stand is great visually, but for my (left) hand it’s too steep at roughly a 60 degree angle, when half that would have been much more comfortable whilst still allowing you to see the icons. You can take the unit off the stand and as you get more used to and with more frequency, you won’t even look at the buttons. This is the best way to go in my opinion, but again it’s nice to have the option of stand or no stand.One last note and this is nothing to do with the unit; I would suggest you learn some main/most used keyboard shortcuts before you use the Stream Deck. Reason - if the deck stops working in the middle of an edit and you don’t know/remember the actual keyboard ones, then you’re stuck. Again, this is unlikely, but worth considering.On the whole an awesome and effective idea, executed fantastically by Elgato.Side note:Elgato have also released the + version which features 8 macro keys, a touch stripe and dials, which can be incorporate into a streaming set up. I cannot comment on that device at the moment, but perhaps in the future…Specs:Size: 11.8 x 8.4 x 2.5cm without standWeight: 145gConnection: USB 2.0 (cable is roughly 1.5 metres)Stand angle: Approx. 60degreesMaterials: Plastic

the customizable and easy-to-use aspects of this controller. They highlight the wealth of options it provides for personalization, seamless integrations, and a hassle-free setup process. The build quality is also praised, with users appreciating the device's durability and usefulness. For those who frequently work with various Mac and PC software programs, especially for audio and video editing, this controller is an invaluable asset. Its versatility knows no bounds, allowing you to effortlessly launch applications, game, work, edit, stream, make voice calls, control lighting, adjust system settings, or even integrate with IFTTT programs. The accompanying app boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, enabling you to customize icons, install apps from the store, and more. Furthermore, a plethora of YouTube guides are available to assist you in configuring the controller to your specific needs, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. With its near-endless possibilities, this controller is a game-changer for those seeking efficiency, productivity, and a tailored computing experience.

I've had this device for less than a week but I'm using it for gaming and photo editing.It adds a great level of immersion to Euro Truck Simulator 2 (someone has created custom icons for it too if you Google it), efficiency to Defense Grid 2 (I created icons including the tower and the prices, as well as uprades etc.) and I made a quick and dirty setup for Paint.Net, which made the icon creation much faster.In addition to this I'm using it for:- Philips Hue lighting in the room it's in- Spotify control on my computer and an Echo device- Train Sim World 2 (this was free and seemed like a good test)- Starting a Linux VM in VMware Workstation (there are further control I could add to this)- Starting specific applicationsI can definitely see me using this on more games, especially simulators and strategy games, possibly binding scripts for easier automation and finding efficiencies for repetitive tasks in different apps.There are a fair few plugins, but these are mainly geared towards streamers (no surprise there) but there are a few for graphics related apps too. The hotkey, hotkey switch, multi action and multi action switch really make up for this. I've not pushed these too far but they seem great so far e.g. in ETS2 I press a key to turn on the ignition, delay for a second and then starts the engine, if I press the button a second time it turns the engine off, the two states have different icons.You can even use animated gifs for the icons, although I've read that the overuse of these can cause performance issues (unsure if that's the case on the MK2). It's perfect for a hazard light indicator in ETS2 though!If I had to add one criticism, it's that it could do with a bit more anti-slip by either being grippier or heavier, it's not terrible on that front and I could probably find a solution myself but worth mentioning for a fair review.The 15 seems to be a perfect size, the XL is tempting but at that point it almost a keyboard from a finding-the-right-key perspective, though not having used to XL you can take my opinion with a pinch of salt and it'll really depend on how you want to use it. As well as having profiles (that auto-switches when an exe is running and selected) each icon can be a folder which can contain other folders, I'm not sure if there are depth limits.All-in-all this piece of kit is so customisable that it'd be difficult not to find a use for it if you are a regular computer user. Highly recommend!